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‘Modi’s photo in place of Gandhi’s against sentiments … Shiv Sena will win Mumbai civic election, with or without BJP’

NDA ally Shiv Sena has been one of the loudest critics of PM Narendra Modi’s photo replacing that of Mahatma Gandhi’s in the government-owned Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s calendars. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut spoke to Rohit E David on the issue and his party’s rocky alliance with BJP:

Why did Shiv Sena criticise the prime minister for replacing Gandhi in the Khadi calendar?

Shiv Sena is not the only party who is criticising this move. This issue is being pinpointed by the entire nation. We may have difference of opinion with Gandhi, but the entire world has given him recognition. So, when it comes to Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose, Indira Gandhi or Lokmanya Tilak, a person like Narendra Modi should not do politics.

Putting your photograph in place of Gandhi is against the sentiments of this country. Today it’s our government, we can do anything. You can even put PM’s photograph on the new currency. But in democracy, governments keep changing.

You are an NDA ally. Are you thinking of withdrawing support?

Definitely not. We have never thought of going out of NDA. We are the oldest members of NDA. The people who are running NDA today have not contributed anything in its formation. NDA came about with Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Pramod Mahajan, Balasaheb Thackeray and Parkash Singh Badal. ‘Congress free nation’ slogan was given by them. If there’s anything which is in the interest of the nation, we have the right and freedom to put that thing in front of everyone.

What about your equation with BJP in Maharashtra and Mumbai civic elections?

The reason we have an alliance at the Centre is not that Modi is PM. We have always been a core member of the alliance. Shiv Sena was part of Vajpayee’s government and then there was a long period that we were not part of the Centre, but we were still with the alliance. We are of the view that politics is not run simply by being in power.

In Maharashtra BJP broke the alliance with us. When they thought that their position has improved in the state and nation they parted ways. BJP should remember when they had no one in the state, we had taken them on our shoulders. BJP cannot finish Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena’s presence has always been there. There are many things which we don’t like. We don’t worry about power. Devendra Fadnavis is trying to do a good job in the state.

As far as the civic elections are concerned, we’ll win with or without the alliance. We will not run after BJP for an alliance, it’s up to them.

In your opposition to BJP aren’t you sounding like NCP on this issue?

We don’t know about NCP. In Maharashtra Shiv Sena’s voice has always been firm. We have never said anything in the dark.

How would you rate PM Modi’s administration?

It’s very strong. Modi likes to work strongly and he should get all the support.

Did BJP do the right thing on demonetisation?

If this fight is against eliminating black money, corruption, we have supported this move. Who is responsible for the pain our farmers and workers are going through? There’s no denying the fact that the government was not prepared to implement this move. Today, voices are being raised against Reserve Bank of India. We fear that in the coming two months there will joblessness in Mumbai because of demonetisation.

Your response to the speculation that Manohar Parrikar might become Goa’s CM candidate?

Nitin Gadkari announced this in Goa. Parrikar is defence minister, now all his attention will be on Goa. To project Parrikar as a likely CM candidate will definitely demoralise the defence ministry. Parrikar spends more time in Goa than in Delhi.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Author

Rohit E David is an assistant news editor with The Times of India. He is a reporter by nature. Taking interviews is what he likes to do. He keeps a close watch on politics, sports and culture. He has widely written for the ‘Newspaper In Education’-having more than 700 bylines on page 1. For TOI, Rohit enjoys writing for the Edit page—Q and A section. Over the last few years, he has spoken with more than thousand people. Written on sports, hardcore news to relationships. He keeps his thinking cap on 24x7 for new ideas and stories.

Rohit E David is an assistant news editor with The Times of India. He is a reporter by nature. Taking interviews is what he likes to do. He keeps a close wa. . .

Author

Rohit E David is an assistant news editor with The Times of India. He is a reporter by nature. Taking interviews is what he likes to do. He keeps a close watch on politics, sports and culture. He has widely written for the ‘Newspaper In Education’-having more than 700 bylines on page 1. For TOI, Rohit enjoys writing for the Edit page—Q and A section. Over the last few years, he has spoken with more than thousand people. Written on sports, hardcore news to relationships. He keeps his thinking cap on 24x7 for new ideas and stories.

Rohit E David is an assistant news editor with The Times of India. He is a reporter by nature. Taking interviews is what he likes to do. He keeps a close wa. . .